Estimation by an electrophysiological method of the expression of oxytocin receptor mRNA in human myometrium during pregnancy

Abstract

In order to evaluate the changes in uterine oxytocin receptor-specific mRNA during pregnancy, receptor expression in Xenopus oocytes are examined electrophysiologically following microinjection of mRNA from human uterus. In voltage-clamped oocytes injected with term myometrial mRNA, oxytocin elicited an inward current response. The amplitude of the oxytocin-induced current increased with increasing dose of oxytocin, but no current was elicited following stimulation with vasopressin. The oxytocin-induced current was completely eliminated as a result of pretreatment with a specific oxytocin antagonist. 21 of 27 oocytes injected with term myometrial mRNA showed a large amplitude (77.0 +/- 16.1 nA) reaction to oxytocin. In comparison, only 3 of 13 oocytes injected with early gestational myometrial mRNA exhibited a small amplitude (4.6 +/- 1.4 nA) reaction to oxytocin. No oxytocin response was observed in oocytes injected with non-pregnant myometrial mRNA. These results indicate that the striking increment in oxytocin sensitivity in term uterus depends on the increase in mRNA encoding oxytocin receptors.